Why Cats Paint

Cloudberry has always had a propensity for decoration. Whether
it is the shredding of a paper ball, a roll of toilet paper, paper
towels, or what have you, Cloudberry launches herself with gusto.
And she is proud of her work too. After rearranging some paper
item, Cloudberry brings it to me for approval (and treat). Sometimes
she comes running with the item and sounds like a cross between
a fire engine and a high-powered motor as she yells with her mouth
closed. Admittedly, the paper balls were meant for cat fun, but
the idea staring at a roll of toilet paper that has been shredded
beyond belief when you needed it the most can be kind of wearisome.

Cloudberry begins artwork.

The dawn of understanding came with the purchase of the book
Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics by Heather Busch
and Burton Silver (Ten Speed Press, Calif., 1994). Whether the
book is a put-on or for real, it is truly fascinating study of
painting cats along with photos of the cats in action as well
as of their artwork.

The book includes some samples of cat sculpture, and all of a
sudden I realized that Cloudberry wasn't a shallow-minded little
destroyer of household goods but an active artist. Her most impressive
creation, then, is the braided rug known here as the Mobius mat.
She single-handedly took it apart strand by strand until it suited
her purpose for playing, whether chasing a shoelace or ball or
other toy through its layers. In the course of playing, the Mobius
mat assumes many unusual shapes. The other cats are amazed at
Cloud's game and try to imitate, but none of them can understand
how it "works." The secret of the Mobius mat is Cloud's
alone. When the mat reaches a particularly interesting shape,
she'll leave it alone for a few days. Afterward it's time to begin
anew. Thus the creative cat.

An end result.

Of course, there is not much point to being creative without trying
to expand one's range. Cloudberry's favorite activity these days are
the "drums." Give her that rubber band attached to a
bunch of papers! Listen to the various intonations she can achieve. Or
there's her favorite shopping bag, which (if properly stuffed with a
weighted object) can be made to resonate loud and clear. Yes, Cloud is
one rockin' cat.